Training for a triathlon is never easy but as women, we can often come across added hurdles in comparison to our male competitors. This makes our training and race day experience completely unique. If you are new to the world of triathlons, this is something that can be easily overlooked when you begin your training journey. This is because you might not realize there are certain things you must adjust in order to have a more comfortable and successful time on race day.
The best way to prepare yourself is by speaking to fellow women triathletes to gain a deeper understanding and knowledge of what to do. It may also be beneficial to enter into female-only triathlons while you are still learning the ropes as this means you won’t be at a greater disadvantage. Below we explore 3 Triathlon Training Tips For Women!
1. Train in Your Race Clothes
The first triathlon training tip specified for women is to train while wearing your race day clothing. It is tempting to exercise wearing gym clothes but in reality this can set you up for failure during the race.
Wearing your tri-suit throughout the weeks or months leading up to a triathlon will allow your body the time to get comfortable and adjust. This means all movements will become a lot easier over time, such as stretching or long running strides.
It is important to remember that all bodies are different, even more so for women. Due to this fact, it is worth it to take your time choosing your triathlon clothing regardless of how awkward the material may be to get on and off. Find something that is comfortable, while still protecting your body and allowing exit holes for sweat.
Something you should also train in before race day is your sports bra. When choosing a sports bra, aim for something with high support that does not dig into your shoulders and ribs. During training you will be able to see if the sports bra rubs against your skin, causing irritation. Once you know this information, you can make adjustments through buying a new bra or using a lubricant around the problem area.
2. Essential Gear
Training for a triathlon requires you to have all the essential gear so that you can find out what works best for you before race day.
Among the The most important things to do during training include choosing a tow float, buying an emergency whistle and a dry bag. While these items will not help you during a triathlon, they will make the training process much safer, and easier.
For women, essential gear includes finding suitable clothes, this could be a tri-suit or a two-piece which will allow you to take easier bathroom breaks when needed. Other essentials include making sure your bike seat is padded for comfort.
Ensure you have suitable:
- Running shoes
- Sweat absorbing socks
- Fast drying socks
- Swimming cap
- Helmet
- Waterproof mascara (if you want to wear it)
3. Protective Hairstyles
The final triathlon tip for women is to make sure you wear your hair in a protective style. Protective styles include french braids, braided ponytails and essentially anything braided.
These hairstyles help keep your hair out of your face helping you to avoid distraction and irritation. Placing your hair in a protective hairstyle will also make it much easier to put on and take off a swimming cap for example, and allow a more comfortable bike helmet fit. It can be tempting to just put your hair up in a bun or just tightly secure it out of your face. However, this often leads to knots and matted hair by the end of a triathlon.
This is because your hair has to endure water, being compressed in a helmet and then high winds as you run. Braiding can be a long process but in the end it saves you from having to comb out painful knots in your hair when you are already exhausted.
Are you a female training for a triathlon? Are these events as easy for women as for men? Let us know what you think in the comments below, and join in the conversation on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram!
